Women's Lacrosse Takes Down No. 11 Cornell 12-10

ITHACA, N.Y. (3/30/13) - The Princeton women's lacrosse team won its third straight game as it defeated No. 11 Cornell, 12-10 on Saturday, March 30 at Schoellkopf Field. Two of those wins have come over teams ranked in the top 15.

The Tigers were down 8-7 at the half but opened the second on a 5-0 run as they took a 12-8 lead at 12:18.

After going scoreless for 22:43, Cornell scored two goals within 1:38 to make it a 12-10 game at 9:07. It was the Big Red's only goals of the second half.

Goalie Caroline Franke made a big stop on a free-position attempt at 8:40 to prevent a three-goal Cornell run.

Princeton managed to run the next four minutes off the clock as it possessed in its offensive end. Cornell knocked the ball away once but only had it temporarily before the Tigers quickly got the ball back. A yellow card on Kate Ivory for a dangerous play, htiting Caroline Rehfuss in the head, gave Princeton a two-minute player advantage. It was Ivory's re-entry into the game at 1:41 that led to Cornell getting the ball back as she forced a turnover and the Big Red cleared.

Caroline Salisbury ripped a shot wide, but it was backed up by a teammate. With 52 seconds remaining, Salisbury got the ball on the inbounds play and ran to the goal. Junior defender Colleen Smith drew the foul as she held her footing and Salisbury ran right into her.

Princeton lost the ball on an errant pass in the midfield, but Cornell did the same 20 seconds later as it turned the ball over at the end line with 13 ticks remaining on the clock. The Tigers hung on to the ball for the final seconds for the win.

Franke matched her career high of nine saves in the win, as Cornell had a 24-22 edge in shots. Princeton had a 14-10 advantage in draws. Ground balls were 19-14 for Cornell.

Courtney Gallagher started the game in goal for Cornell. She played 20:58 minutes and allowed five goals before she was replaced by Carly Gniewek for the final 9:02 of the first half. Gallagher went back in goal to start the second half where she remained the rest of the game. Gallagher finished the game with three saves and allowed 10. Gniewek had one save on three shots.

Cornell's offense was led by Emily Tripodi who had two goals and two assists, and Sarah Hefner who had three goals. Amanda D'Amico and Salisbury had a goal and an assist each. Cornell is now 6-3 overall and 2-2 in the league after a 12-11 overtime loss at Penn last Sunday coupled with today's loss to the Tigers.

Princeton is now 6-3 overall and 3-0 in the Ivy League. The Tigers are tied atop the Ivy League standings with both Dartmouth and Penn. Princeton travels to Yale for a noon match next Saturday, April 6.